Water Mission 
The information in this column was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 5/12/2021. To update the information in this column, please email: info@ministrywatch.com
Summary
Water Mission is a Christian engineering nonprofit that builds safe water, sanitation, and hygiene solutions in developing countries and disaster areas. We believe that the global water crisis can be solved and we take a comprehensive approach to combating the crisis with water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) solutions. We design customized solutions for each community we serve and we partner with the recipients throughout the process. A successful project results in more time for work and education, improved health, and increased productivity for the community.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Water Mission
PO Box 71489
N. Charleston, SC 29415
Website: www.watermission.org
Phone: (843) 769-7395
Email: communications@watermission.org
Organization details
EIN: 571116978
CEO/President: George C. Greene IV, PE
Chairman: George C. Greene III, PE, PhD
Board size: 11
Founder: George and Molly Greene
Year founded: 2001
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 09/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 2003
Purpose
We are a team of builders. As engineers, marketers, implementers, fundraisers, volunteers and donors, each of us is building an important piece of a solution that lasts. Each engineering plan, pipe fitting, and installation is a piece of a solution that God is using to place communities around the world back to where He intended them to be. We believe we are following His blueprint. God never intended for some to have safe water and others to suffer. So each of our actions-in partnership with yours-adds up to lives saved.
Mission statement
The mission of Water Mission is to honor God by developing, implementing, and sharing best-in-class safe water solutions that transform as many lives as possible, as quickly as possible.
Statement of faith
What We Believe:
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The three are coequal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14
Jesus is the Son of God. He is coequal with the Father and Holy Spirit. Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless human life, and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days, demonstrating His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven and will return again to reign as King.
Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-4; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11, 2:22-24; Colossians 2:9-10; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Philippians 2:5-11
The Holy Spirit lives in each Christian from salvation. The Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He provides Christians with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer spiritual gifts when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.
Acts 1:8; John 14:16-17, 16:7-13; Galatians 5:16-18, 25; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2; Romans 8:9
The Bible is God's Word to us. The Bible was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs about living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without error.
2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5; Isaiah 55:11
People are the supreme object of God's creation. People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin." Sin separates us from God and causes many problems in our life.
Genesis 1:26-27; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2; Psalm 139:13-16
Salvation is God's free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6; Romans 5:1, 5:8, 10:9-10; Colossians 2:12-15; Titus 3:4-7; Acts 4:12; Luke 23:46-47; John 3:16
People will exist eternally with or without God. People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life in Heaven. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence.
Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:11-15; Matthew 25:31-34, 41; 1 Corinthians 15:51-57
All believers are united through Jesus Christ. There is spiritual unity of all believers in Jesus Christ and all believers are members of His body, the Church.
Ephesians 1:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:12,27
All believers have a responsibility to tell people about the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ.
The ministry of evangelism is a responsibility of both the Church and each Christian.
Romans 10:9-15; Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:17-20; 1 Peter 3:15
Transparency grade
A
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Relief and Development
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 463 of 913 | 36 of 75 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 424 of 915 | 36 of 75 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 361 of 915 | 30 of 75 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 603 of 913 | 49 of 75 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 6% | 6% | 8% | 6% | 10% | 14% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 6% | 7% | 5% | 8% | 11% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 99% | 99% | 81% | 86% | 84% | 79% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 6% | 7% | 8% | 9% | 11% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 1% | 1% | 19% | 14% | 16% | 21% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 86% | 88% | 87% | 88% | 86% | 83% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 97% | 95% | 93% | 68% | 91% | 100% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 83% | 83% | 81% | 60% | 78% | 84% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 3% | 5% | 7% | 32% | 9% | 0% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 7% | 7% | 8% | 51% | 17% | -1% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 7% | 6% | 6% | 5% | 5% | 6% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.72 | 1.19 | 1.04 | 1.05 | 1.67 | 1.60 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.34 | 1.09 | 1.03 | 1.03 | 1.10 | 1.14 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.85 | 1.29 | 1.07 | 1.08 | 1.83 | 1.82 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 8.49 | 9.76 | 18.17 | 23.26 | 11.39 | 9.77 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.11 | 0.10 | 0.06 | 0.04 | 0.09 | 0.10 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 3.15 | 8.33 | 10.63 | 10.62 | 5.97 | 5.91 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 13% | 9% | 5% | 4% | 8% | 9% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 48% | 76% | 91% | 92% | 55% | 57% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Cash | $15,115,871 | $10,182,077 | $15,640,004 | $6,160,222 | $4,567,496 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $4,599,037 | $4,736,604 | $5,083,996 | $4,117,232 | $3,703,373 |
| Short-term investments | $4,406,259 | $7,843,086 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $24,121,167 | $22,761,767 | $20,724,000 | $10,277,454 | $8,270,869 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $745,501 | $697,656 | $676,546 | $989,062 | $1,179,067 |
| Other long-term assets | $1,409,231 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $2,154,732 | $697,656 | $676,546 | $989,062 | $1,179,067 |
| Total assets | $26,275,899 | $23,459,423 | $21,400,546 | $11,266,516 | $9,449,936 |
| Liabilities | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $1,700,462 | $979,137 | $515,030 | $505,807 | $441,286 |
| Other current liabilities | $770,414 | $273,678 | $375,901 | $396,483 | $405,173 |
| Total current liabilities | $2,470,876 | $1,252,815 | $890,931 | $902,290 | $846,459 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $2,470,876 | $1,252,815 | $890,931 | $902,290 | $846,459 |
| Net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Without donor restrictions | $9,207,283 | $6,430,266 | $6,002,041 | $4,958,853 | $6,026,864 |
| With donor restrictions | $14,597,740 | $15,776,342 | $14,507,574 | $5,405,373 | $2,576,613 |
| Net assets | $23,805,023 | $22,206,608 | $20,509,615 | $10,364,226 | $8,603,477 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Total contributions | $32,603,382 | $21,092,914 | $28,421,605 | $17,310,853 | $11,793,187 |
| Program service revenue | $0 | $4,566,690 | $4,400,811 | $3,210,294 | $3,156,527 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $250,504 | $300,624 | $9,821 | $7,630 | $9,306 |
| Other revenue | $30,010 | $61,213 | $28,812 | $135,185 | $60,371 |
| Total other revenue | $280,514 | $4,928,527 | $4,439,444 | $3,353,109 | $3,226,204 |
| Total revenue | $32,883,896 | $26,021,441 | $32,861,049 | $20,663,962 | $15,019,391 |
| Expenses | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Program services | $27,421,076 | $21,155,011 | $19,659,022 | $16,139,548 | $12,544,992 |
| Management and general | $1,768,228 | $1,423,221 | $1,024,207 | $963,922 | $864,335 |
| Fundraising | $1,987,137 | $1,705,384 | $1,722,777 | $1,749,580 | $1,675,641 |
| Total expenses | $31,176,441 | $24,283,616 | $22,406,006 | $18,853,050 | $15,084,968 |
| Change in net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $1,707,455 | $1,737,825 | $10,455,043 | $1,810,912 | ($65,577) |
| Other changes in net assets | ($109,040) | ($40,832) | ($309,654) | ($50,163) | ($139,594) |
| Total change in net assets | $1,598,415 | $1,696,993 | $10,145,389 | $1,760,749 | ($205,171) |
Compensation
Compensation data for this ministry has not been collected.
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 5/12/2021. To update the information below, please email: info@ministrywatch.com
History
In 1998, our founders, Molly and George Greene, were operating an environmental engineering company in Charleston, South Carolina when they heard about the devastation in Honduras caused by Hurricane Mitch. After receiving a request for multiple water treatment systems in Honduras, and being unable to find existing systems that would work, George and his team of engineers took action to build such a system - and thus the idea for Water Missions International was born.
When the Greene's arrived in Honduras, they were shocked by what they found. The river that flowed through a nearby village was the color of chocolate milk, deep brown with toxins, bacteria and hopelessness. The residents of the village referred to it as the "River of Death" - no one survived once they drank from that river. As one of the newly built water systems became operational, the local villagers were still terrified to drink any water from the river - whether it was clear or not. So Molly and George placed their own lips to the hose and drank the newly purified water. With that action, Molly and George bridged the final gap and the villagers swarmed forward to drink the water.
In the aftermath of their Honduras trip, Molly and George discovered the sad truth about the global water crisis - that billions are forced to drink dirty water every day. In 2001, the Greenes took action to combat this reality and founded Water Mission.
Program accomplishments
2018-2019 Program Accomplishments
- 150 safe water projects with the capacity to serve 450,000 people
- Distribution of people served in 2018:
- Disaster Response: 39%
- Uganda: 22%
- Haiti: 12%
- Tanzania 8%
- Honduras: 6%
- Kenya: 5%
- Peru: 3%
- Liberia: 2%
- Malawi: 1%
- Mexico: 1%
- Indonesia: 1%
- Since 2001, Water Mission has served more than 4 million people in 55 countries
- Water Mission has full-time staff in nine countries: Haiti, Honduras, Peru, Mexico, Malawi, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Indonesia.
- Since 2015, Water Mission has served 250,000 refugees in Northern Uganda
- Currently we are serving 90,000 more than 90,000 Burundi refugees in Nyarugusu, Tanzania.
- This past year, our more than 40 strategic partners generously supported us through expertise, products, and sponsorships.
- Water Mission celebrated 18 years of service.
- More than 500 volunteers assist Water Mission annually.
- This year, we were asked to serve as the go-to solar pumping expert within the prominent Rural Water Supply Network, leading the conversations associated with research, collaboration, and training. This work led to a major milestone for Water Mission, as we were recently contracted by UNICEF to develop industry-wide standards for solar pumping solutions in 2019.
- After two years of extensive development and testing in six countries, we officially launched the Restore Survey this year in western Honduras. The tool allows us to collect critical, real-time data about a community's strengths and weaknesses - including its management capacity, WASH behaviors, and overall well-being. In 2019, we plan to roll out the Restore Survey in each of our country programs.
- Water Mission has achieved Charity Navigator's top "4-star" rating for sound fiscal management and transparency for 12 years in a row.